UN Torture Committee issues scathing indictment of China’s record on torture

The UN Committee Against Torture has delivered a damning assessment of China’s record on torture. The assessment follows a report made by China and China’s appearance before the Committee in Geneva on 7 and 10 November.

“Concluding observations of the Committee Against Torture”, was published on the Committee’s webpage late on Friday afternoon (1). The Committee’s conclusions represent the highest degree of accountability imposed on China since its brutal crackdown on Tibetan protesters this spring.

The Committee’s summary of the “positive aspects” to China’s report barely cover a page of the report whilst “Subjects of Concern and Recommendations” run to a further 12 pages.

In one section titled “Widespread torture and ill-treatment and insufficient safeguards during detention” the Committee states it remains “deeply concerned” about widespread reports of the “use of torture and ill-treatment of suspects in police custody, especially to extract confessions….to be used in criminal proceedings”. In its own submission to the Committee (2) Free Tibet submitted evidence of government regulations in the Khandze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture which created clear conditions for the use of torture. Stated government measures in the Khandze regulations include: “A monk or nun charged with quite serious crimes will remain in custody until s/he cooperates by telling the truth, confessing their guilt and submitting a shuyig [self-criticising letter}”.(3).

Some of the Committee’s most damning assessments on China’s record are contained in the section covering events in Tibet this spring. The Committee noted “with great concern” reports on the ensuing Chinese crackdown which, according to the Committee, had “deepened a climate of fear and further inhibits accountability”. Referring to widespread arrests and detentions in the aftermath of the Spring Uprising, the Committee noted a “reported lack of restraint with which persons were treated, based on numerous allegations and credible reports made available to the Committee.”

In its submission to the Committee Free Tibet provided evidence, based on eyewitness accounts, of the disproportionate use of lethal force on crowds of unarmed Tibetan civilians in Khandze, Ngaba county and Lhasa. Such evidence included photos of Tibetan corpses bearing exit-entry bullet wounds, suggesting the use of high-velocity weapons by Chinese armed troops. Free Tibet also noted the failure by the Chinese authorities to launch any investigation into such widely-reported incidents, a view endorsed by the Committee which demanded that:

“The State party [China] should conduct a thorough and independent inquiry into the reported excessive use of force, including against peaceful demonstrators, and notably monks, in Kardze county, Ngaba county, and Lhasa.”

Free Tibet Director, Stephanie Brigden, said:

“Free Tibet fully endorses the Committee’s findings which represent the first occasion since this spring when China has been made accountable for its brutal crackdown on unarmed Tibetan civilians, as well as for the ongoing detention without access to legal representation of many Tibetans.

As the Committee’s conclusions make clear, reports of excessive force and detentions show that China’s repressive crackdown was systematic and represented an official and concerted policy by the Chinese state.”

Ends

For further information: Matt Whitticase: t: +44 (0)20 7324 4605 / +44 (0)7515 788456

Notes to editors:

(1)    The UN Committee on Torture’s conclusions are available at: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cat/docs/CAT.C.CHN.CO.4.pdf

(2)    Free Tibet’s submission to the UN Committee Against Torture is available at: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cat/cats41.htm

(3)    Free Tibet’s full report on the publication of measures in Khandze is available at: http://www.freetibet.org/newsmedia/28-july-2008

For further information: Matt Whitticase: +44 (0)20 7324 4605 / +44 (0)7515 788456
Or e-mail matt@freetibet.org